For almost 2,000 years, Christians have undertaken physical journeys as outward and visible manifestations of the inward spiritual journey from birth through death to God. Pilgrimage has served as a central spiritual practice for generations of the faithful as each seeks to fulfill his or her own spiritual needs by journeying to a sacred place.

Traditional Pilgrimages

Pilgrims in medieval times trekked from the north of Europe to Rome and, if possible, on to the Holy Land of Jesus’ birth and death. For over 1,000 years pilgrims have made their way to the acclaimed resting place of the Apostle James in Northern Spain at Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims have walked St. Cuthbert’s Way to Lindisfarne on the east coast of England and to the grotto at Lourdes in France.

Pilgrimage in Modern Times

Pilgrimage, as a sacred practice, is being rediscovered by millions in our modern times. Learning from the ancients and adapting to conditions in our lives, Christians are rediscovering the power of the intentional journey, of sacred places, of internal reflection, and, in all, of purposefully inviting God into our lives

You and Pilgrimage

This site is intended to help you, the modern pilgrim, undertake your journey, wherever it may take you.

Susan's book has just been featured on this path-breaking website, which is a senior travel magazine hosting timely articles and advice about educational adventure travel, and unique destinations for planning stimulating journeys worldwide.

To see the review of Finding the Waymarkers as well as other articles on pilgrimage and sacred travel, Click Here

Susan's monthly pick of other books that can be helpful to the modern pilgrim

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fryby
Rachael Joyce

When Harold Fry, retired and weary of his own utterly boring and predictable life, receives a letter from a dying woman who haunts his past, he quickly pens a reply. But, on the way to mail the letter, he inexplicitly passes the post box and continues to walk. With no preparation – not even a goodbye to his wife – Harold starts off on a 627 mile walk to the hospice where his friend is dying, driven by the longing to deliver his letter to her in person. So first-time novelist Rachael Joyce begins our journey with Harold, walking mile after mile, “one foot in front of the other”, across England on a pilgrimage of faith, hope and love that will change his life and perhaps our own. In this novel, which was nominated for the 2012 Man Booker Prize, Joyce allows the reader to follow Harold’s pilgrimage, to encounter a series of colorful characters intermixed with his own diverse memories, and to experience, in this modern world, the “movements” of the ancient practice of pilgrimage.